Renaldo "Obie" Benson Obituary

DETROIT (AP) - Renaldo "Obie" Benson, a member of the legendary Motown singing group the Four Tops, died Friday. He was 69.

Benson died at a Detroit hospital, said the group's road manager, Fred Bridges. His death also was confirmed by Craig Hankenson, president of Producers Inc., one of the agencies that books dates for the Four Tops.

"It was not unexpected. He has been ill," Hankenson said.

The Four Tops sold more than 50 million records and recorded hit songs such as "Baby I Need Your Loving," "Reach Out (I'll be There)," "I Can't Help Myself" and "Standing in the Shadows of Love."

Benson's death leaves two surviving members of the original group: Levi Stubbs and Abdul "Duke" Fakir. The fourth original Top, Lawrence Payton, died of liver cancer in 1997.

They are members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Four Tops began singing together in the 1950s under the name the Four Aims and signed a deal with Chess Records. They later changed their names to the Four Tops.

The group signed with Motown Records in 1963 and produced a string of hits over the next decade, making music history with the other acts in Berry Gordy's Motown lineup.

DETROIT (AP) - Renaldo "Obie" Benson, a member of the legendary Motown singing group the Four Tops, died Friday. He was 69.

Benson died at a Detroit hospital, said the group's road manager, Fred Bridges. His death also was confirmed by Craig Hankenson, president of Producers Inc., one of the agencies that books dates for the Four Tops.

"It was not unexpected. He has been ill," Hankenson said.

The Four Tops sold more than 50 million records and recorded hit songs such as "Baby I Need Your Loving," "Reach Out (I'll be There)," "I Can't Help Myself" and "Standing in the Shadows of Love."

Benson's death leaves two surviving members of the original group: Levi Stubbs and Abdul "Duke" Fakir. The fourth original Top, Lawrence Payton, died of liver cancer in 1997.

They are members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Four Tops began singing together in the 1950s under the name the Four Aims and signed a deal with Chess Records. They later changed their names to the Four Tops.

The group signed with Motown Records in 1963 and produced a string of hits over the next decade, making music history with the other acts in Berry Gordy's Motown lineup.

Guest Book Highlights

"I used to listen to the Tops in Vietnam. Met them all in 1994 when they performed in Hagerstown, MD. SO hard to believe that three are gone. Tom Tucker Disc Jockey"- Tom Tucker (Martinsburg, WV)

"It's now September 2014 and so enjoying the four tops music still they were and still are one of the greatest sounds around I sing your songs daily to my grandchildren and there loving your music to god bless you and rest in peace xxx"- Sharon Davies (Cardiff South Wales united k)

"YOU ARE 0NE OF A KIND, MR BENSON. TRULY MISSED ON EARTH, BUT GOD HAS 3 TOP MAKING BEAUTIFUL MUSIC. GOD BLESS YOU, FROM YOUR NUMBER ONE FAN TOYIA"- Toyia Petgrave (Brooklyn, NY)

"You had a nice smile and you sang very good, you will be missed"- Deloris Moreno (Mankato, MN)

"There must be a beautiful sound in heaven with u tops up there because you sounded beautiful on earth god bless xx"- Sharon Davies (Cardiff great britain)